Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program, P.A. 451, Part 91 as amended

Administered by Missaukee Conservation District through an agreement with Missaukee County, permits are required for various activities including, but not limited to:
1) disturbing the soil within 500 feet of a body of water
2) disturbing more than one acre
3) rototilling your beach
4) adding sand to your beach

Applications are required for any soil disturbance within 500 feet of a body of water, i.e., river, stream, creek, lake or if you are disturbing over 1 acre of land, no matter the distance to water. Chere Elenbaas, Missaukee County Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Agent, will perform an inspection of the site. She can be contacted at 231.839.7193 or chere.elenbaas@macd.org.

There is no legal setback from body of water in Missaukee County except in Norwich, Pioneer, Bloomfield, Caldwell and Forest Townships on Creeks feeding into the Manistee River. The Upper Manistee River is part of the Natural Rivers Act and requires an additional permit through Michigan Natural Rivers Program. 

There is no fee for the Natural Rivers Act permitting process. More information is available by contacting Missaukee Conservation District or Brian Bury, Upper Manistee River State Zoning Administrator, at 989.732.3541, ext. 5088, or e-mail buryb@michigan.gov.
 
For the remainder of the county, it is strongly recommended to NOT build closer to the water than the landowner’s neighbors, just for peace in the neighborhood. Part 91 of PA 451, which governs the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program, can be read by clicking on the following link,
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-451-1994-ii-2-soil-conservation-erosion-and-sedimentation-control-91. 
 
Single residential projects (no matter the acreage) and projects under 1 acre of land are $90 with checks payable to Missaukee County. Two separate checks are appreciated; a $15 application fee and a $75 permit fee. Permits for 1 acre
(43,560 square feet) or more are $295 plus a $15 application fee. Indicate any land changes that will happen within the year that the permit is valid such as including the building of a house, garage, and yard on the application. This will save from having to obtain another permit later in the year to build a garage, etc. Landowners or contractors may complete the application. 

Permits for rototilling your beach are valid for 2 years; permits for any other activitiy are valid for 1 year.

Permits must be applied for prior to obtaining a building permit. Once the landowner/designated agent has the receipt for permit you may go to the Missaukee County Building Department (Courthouse annex on Canal Street, 1st block east of Main Street,Lake City) with your receipt and can then apply for a building permit. If soil is disturbed prior to obtaining a permit, additional fees are charged.

Download a SESC application.